System for managing web-based content data chronologically

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a computer implemented system for organizing electronic content data chronologically. In operation, application software, that is preferably hosted on a remote server, organizes the electronic communications data. The electronic communications data is transmitted from multiple sources or users associated with relationship identities or identifiers. The application software organizes the electronic communications data chronologically onto interactive and displayable time-lines. The application software also preferably organizes the electronic communications data into user accessible sub-files along the time-lines based on dates of transmission. The application software runs electronic communications applications, such as e-mail or social network applications, directly or alternatively interfaces with external electronic communications applications to generate the time-lines.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to computer systems for managing web-basedcontent data in a cloud-based computing environment. More particularly,the present invention relates to computer systems for managing web-basedcontent data in a cloud-based computing environment chronologically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cloud-based computing provides computation, software, data access, andstorage services that do not require a user to have knowledge of thephysical location and configuration of the system and architecture thatdelivers the content data and/or services. Cloud-based computing caninclude the delivery of any kind of content data and/or services inreal-time, which extend the capabilities to a remote computing device,typically over the internet.

There are a number of computer systems that manage web-based contentdata chronologically. For example, e-mail servers and host computere-mail programs allow users to organize e-mails according to the date ortime that the e-mail communications are transmitted, the subject threadsof the e-mail communications, the file sizes of the e-mailcommunications and the originators of the e-mail communications.

In the U.S. Pat. No. 7,725,492, to Sittig et al., a system is disclosedthat allow users to organize relationships in a social network via asocial time line. Sittig et al. describe a system, whereby data withcalendar dates are received between multiple user's. The data is thenorganized in chronological order and photos are coupled to the datacorresponding the multiple users, thereby generating a social time-line.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,007 to Reese, a methods and apparatus forfacilitating consumption of services via a services network aredescribed. In the system of Reese, access is provided to a servicesdirectory which identifies a plurality of services and at least oneconnector for facilitating consumption of each of the services via thenetwork. Each connector is operable to mediate communication protocoland business policy differences between a first network end pointassociated with the corresponding service and a second network end pointassociated with a consumer of the service. For each of selected ones ofthe connectors, information accessible via the services directory isprovided regarding how to use the connector to consume the correspondingservice. For each of selected ones of the services, access to aconnector design process is provided via the services directory. Theconnector design process is operable to facilitate creation of a newconnector for the corresponding service, and to specify at least onebusiness process for mediating the business policy differences.

In the U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,399, Brouk et al. describe a system andmethod for enabling the interchange of enterprise data through an openplatform. In the system of Brouk et al. the open platform can be basedon a standardized interface that enables parties to easily connect toand use the network. Services operating as senders, recipients, andin-transit parties can, therefore, leverage a framework that overlays apublic network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a computer implemented system fororganizing content data chronologically. The system preferably operatesin a cloud-based networking environment. The system includes a serverthat is accessible over the internet/Intranet from remote computerdevices through a network, such as the internet. Application softwareruns on the server that is configured to host any number data services,such as e-mail. The application software is configured to directly runan e-mail application or alternatively is configured to interface withan external e-mail application or any other electronic communicationsapplication, such as social network applications.

Preferably, the application software is coded for organizing electroniccommunications data from multiple content sources or users. Theapplication software is configured to organize the electroniccommunications chronologically into time-lines. The time-lines areviewable from remote computer devices on a single graphical userinterface that is preferably an icon-based graphical user interface.

The time-lines represent, for example, a potential business transactionbetween two business entities. The time-lines are coded with dates thatare accessible sub-files. The sub-files contain electroniccommunications data between the multiple content sources (users) fromthe entities, which have been transmitted on dates along the time-lines.Preferably, each of the sub-files are coded or configured to be codedfor a level of success and numeric indicating a number of transmissionsof electronic communication data that have occurred between the multiplecontent sources (users) on the dates corresponding to each of thesub-files.

In further embodiments of the invention the application software iscoded for organizing electronic communications data or sub-files fromthe time-lines into a folder according to a metric, such as the level ofsuccess assigned by a user. The software for organizing electroniccommunications data or sub-files from the time-lines into a folderaccording to the metric is preferably operated through a tool feature onthe graphical user interface that is operable by the user from remotecomputer devices.

The application software in yet further embodiments of the inventionincludes e-mail hosting software. In operation the application softwareis configured extracted the electronic communications data from themultiple content sources (e-mail accounts) to generate the time-linesbased on user identifiers associated business entity or entities and/ortransaction identifier that corresponds to the time-line.

The time-lines or portions thereof can be tagged to be accessible bymultiple users in a social network environment over the internet, suchthat some of the electronic communications data is shared by authorizedusers through remote computer devices.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, transactionsfrom multiple content sources are manages through the graphical userinterface by establishing a relationship identity or identifier thatdefines a time-line. The relationship identity or identifier includes,for example, a name of company and any number of selected contentsources, users and/or e-mail accounts corresponding to, or associatedwith, the name, the relationship identity or the identifier. The serverreceives electronic communications data from two or more of the contentsources and the application software organizing the electroniccommunications data into sub-files based on dates the electroniccommunications data was transmitted (sent or received). The applicationsoftware then displays the sub-files on a time-line corresponding to thename, the relationship identity or the identifier the through thegraphical user interface.

As described above, the application software preferably includes toolsthat allow users to code the sub-files according to a metric, such as asuccess metric. For example the sub-files are coded with a color toindicates a level of success. The sub-files are also coded with anumeric to indicate a number of communications contained within eachsub-file. The graphical user interface also preferably includes toolfeatures that allow users to organizing the sub-files into a folderaccording to the metric. The server and application software in furtherembodiments of the invention is configured to store user historyanalytics based the electronic communications data transmitted and/orremote computer usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a cloud-based computer systemfor managing electronic communications data from multiple sources, inaccordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2A shows a representation of a time-line with chronologicallydisplayed sub-file containing electronic communications data between themultiple sources entities corresponding to dates of transmission, inaccordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2B shows a tool feature for coding and displayed sub-filescontaining electronic communications data between the multiple sourcesentities based on a metric, in accordance with the embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3A shows dynamic user page with multiple displayable andinteractive time-lines, in accordance with the embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3B shows a tool feature for coding and organizing electroniccommunications data or sub-files from time-lines into a folder based ona metric, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a block-flow diagram outlining steps of a method formanaging transactions from multiple content sources through a graphicaluser interface, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a computer implemented system100 for managing electronic communications data from multiple sources orusers 101, 101′ and 101″, collectively 100. The system 100 preferablyoperates in a cloud-based networking environment and includes a server105 that is accessible over the internet/Intranet from remote computerdevices through a network 103, such as the interne. Application softwareruns on the server 105 that is configured to host any number dataservices, such as e-mail. The application software is configured todirectly run an e-mail application or alternatively is configured tointerface with an external e-mail application or any other electroniccommunications application, such as a social network applications.

The application software is coded for organizing electroniccommunications data from multiple content sources or users 110chronologically. Electronic communications data includes any data orinformation that is transmitted between internet/intranet enableddevices. The multiple content sources or users 110 include remotecomputers and users as well as other servers that operate over thenetwork 103 including, but not limited to, e-mail servers and socialnetwork servers.

The application software of the present invention is configured toorganize the electronic communications chronologically into time-lines,such as shown in FIG. 2A. The time-lines are viewable from the remotecomputer devices on a single graphical user interface. The graphicaluser interface is preferably an icon-based graphical user interface.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a time-line 200 in accordance with the embodimentsthe invention is displayable and interactive. The time-line 200 of thepresent invention is preferably chronological display of electroniccommunications data between multiple content sources or users from twoentities that are establishing a relationship. Accordingly, thetime-line 200 is preferably labeled with an identifier or name 201 thatindicates or identifies an entity that an end user, a hosting company oraccount owner is attempting to establish a relationship with. Theidentifier or name 201 is, for example, a company log.

In operation, multiple content sources or users within the two entitiestransmit and receive electronic communications data through, forexample, an e-mail application running on the server 105 or anotherserver. The application software interfaces with the e-mail applicationand organizes the electronic communications data transmitted intosub-files 213, 215, 217 and 219, collectively 211. The sub-files 211 arechronologically displayed according to the dates of transmission of theelectronic communications data.

Each of the sub-files 211 are accessible and configured to be openedfrom the graphical user interface, such that the electroniccommunication data contained therein can be reviewed or retrieved. Forexample, the sub-file 213 contains two transmissions of electroniccommunication data M1 and M2. The end user, hosting company or accountowner of the time-line 200 can select the sub-file 213 and view, copy,resent or edit the transmissions of electronic communication data M1 andM2. Preferably, each of the sub-files is labeled with a numericindicating the number of transmissions of electronic communication datathat have occurred between the multiple content sources (users) on thedates corresponding to each of the sub-files 211. For example, sub-files217 contains three transmissions of electronic communication data,sub-files 219 contains five transmissions of electronic communicationdata and so on.

In further embodiments of the invention, the application software hostone or more tool features 225. A tool feature is usually represent by anicon, that are viewable and/or selectable from a from a computingdevice; selecting the tool will generally initiate one or more softwaresequences to access, display and/or organize electronic communicationsdata on a graphical user interface on a computer devices.

The tool feature 225 allows the end user, hosting company or accountowner of the time-line 200 to code the time-line, electroniccommunications data and or sub-files 211 with a metric. For example, thesub-file 213 is coded with a circle 226 from the tool feature 225,indicating the sub-file 213 is classified as pending, the sub-file 215is coded with a triangle 228 from the tool feature 225, indicating thatthe sub-file 215 is moving forward; and the sub-file 217 is coded with asquare 230 from the tool feature 225, indicating that the sub-file isinactive. In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, thetime-line, electronic communications data and or sub-files 211 are codedfor a metric that is indicated by a color, such as described below withreference to FIGS. 3A-B

FIG. 3A shows dynamic user web-page 300 with multiple displayable andinteractive time-lines, 301, 303 and 305. Each of the time-lines 301,303 and 305 represent a tread of communications data transmitted betweentwo entities from multiple content sources and displayedchronologically, such as described above. The communications data areorganized into user accessible sub-files 321, 323 and 325 forcommunications data transmitted on any given day. The sub-files 321, 323and 325 preferably have a numeric that indicated the number ofcommunications data transmitted or files transmitted on the daycorresponding to the sub-file.

The dynamic user web-page 300 preferably includes a tool 350 feature,such as shown in FIG. 3B. The tool allows a user to code and organizeelectronic communications data or sub-files from time-lines 301, 303 and305 into a folder based on a metric. In this example, a tool feature 350allows a user to code each of the sub-files 321, 323 and 325 by a color.The color is used to code sub-files for a level of perceived success.For example green codes for successful, yellow codes for pending and redcodes for inactive. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that thetime-lines 301, 303 and 305, sub-files 321, 323 and 325 and theelectronic communications data or files can all be coded with any numberof different metrics. The tool feature 350, also allows the user togenerate one or more folders with sub-files 321, 323 and 325, electroniccommunications data or files organize according to the assigned metric.

FIG. 4 shows a block-flow diagram 400 outlining steps of a method formanaging transactions from multiple content sources through a graphicaluser interface, such as described above. In operation, a user willgenerally log into the server 105 (FIG. 1) that runs the applicationsoftware that interfaces with an electronic communications application,such as e-mail. The user will then establish an account and down-loadall of the necessary software and/or tool features required to operatethe account for a remote computer. While it is preferably that thecomputer implemented system of the present invention operates in acloud-based network environment, it will be clear to one skilled in theart the system of the resent invention can also be configured to behosted and operated from the desk-top of the user's computer.

Regardless of how the user account is established or where theapplication software is operating, in the step 401 a user establishes arelationship identity that defines the time-line. The relationshipidentity is typically between the user and another entity. However, theentities in accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention areexternal entities, wherein the user is acting as an authorizedadministrator or manager of the relationship. After the user establishesa relationship identity in the step 401, in the step 403 any number ofelectronic communications data are transmitted (sent or received)through the account. The electronic communications data transmissionsare from any number of content sources (users) associated with therelationship identity. After the communications data are transmitted inthe step 403, in the step 405 the electronic communications data areorganized into sub-files based on dates of the electronic communicationsdata were transmitted. Preferably the application software of thecomputer implemented system automatically organizes the electroniccommunications data into sub-file based on a tag assigned each of thecontent sources (users) that are associated with the relationshipidentity. After the electronic communications data are organized intosub-files in the step 405, in the step 407, the sub-files are displayedchronologically on a time-line for each relationship identity, asdescribe above. After the sub-files are created in the step 405 anddisplayed in the step 407, the user can code the sub-files with anynumber of different metrics using tool features, such as describedabove. Throughout the method for managing transactions from multiplecontent sources, the application software can be configured to collectand store user history analytics based electronic communications dataand/or remote computer usage.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. As such,references herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made inthe embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented system for organizingcontent data chronologically, the system comprising: a) a server that isaccessible over the internet/Intranet from remote computer devices; andb) an application software that runs on the server and includes softwarecoded for organizing electronic communications data from multiplesources chronologically into time-lines on a single graphical userinterface that is viewable from the remote computer devices, whereineach of the time-lines represent a potential business transactionbetween business entities, wherein each of the of the dates within thetime-lines represents an accessible sub-file containing electroniccommunications data between the multiple sources between the businessentities corresponding to each of the dates and wherein the each ofsub-files are configured to be coded for a level of success.
 2. Thecomputer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the application softwarefurther includes software coded for organizing electronic communicationsdata or sub-files from the time-lines into a folder according to ametric.
 3. The computer implemented system of claim 2, wherein themetric is the level of success.
 4. The computer implemented system ofclaim 1, wherein the application software further includes e-mailhosting software from which the electronic communications data from themultiple sources is extracted to generate the time-lines.
 5. Thecomputer implemented system of claim 1, wherein the time-lines orportions thereof are configured to be tagged to be accessible bymultiple users over the internet.
 6. A computer system with applicationsoftware that is coded to automatically extract electroniccommunications data from a messaging system and organizes the electroniccommunications data into to time-lines based on a transaction identifierand displays the time-lines through a graphical user interface.
 7. Thecomputer system of claim 6, wherein the application softwareautomatically organizes portions of the electronic communications datain each time-line into sub-files based on dates that the correspondingto the portions of the electronic communications data were transmitted.8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein application software codes aremote computer with software for enabling tool-box for viewing theelectronic communications data within each of the sub-files and fororganizing the sub-files according to a metric.
 9. The computer systemof claim 8, wherein the tool-box allows users to code electroniccommunications data or sub-files according to a success metric.
 10. Thecomputer system of claim 8, wherein the application software runs on aremote server accessible through the remote computer.
 11. The computersystem of claim 10, wherein the remote server collects and storeshistory analytics based on usage of applications software by the remotecomputer.
 12. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the graphical userinterface is icon-based.
 13. A method of managing transactions frommultiple content sources through a graphical user interface, the methodcomprising: a) establishing a relationship identity that defines atime-line; b) receiving electronic communications data from two or moreof the content sources associated with the relationship identity; c)organizing the electronic communications data into sub-files based ondates of the electronic communications data; and d) displaying thesub-files on a time-line through the graphical user interface.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising coding the sub-files for ametric.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the coding the sub-files fora metric comprising assigning a color to the sub-files.
 16. The methodof claim 15, further comprising organizing the sub-files according tothe metric into a folder.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the usergraphical interface is accessible from a remote server through remotecomputers.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the remote server is ane-mail server.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the graphical userinterface is an icon-base web-page.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising storing user history analytics based electroniccommunications data and/or remote computer usage.